The silent watcher

The unknown number

Julia drifted awake with the moonlight peering in  through her window, she gazed at her clock and sat up groggily trying to focus. It was so early in the morning that the quiet house made her ears ring. The unnatural silence shattered with the loud ring on her phone.

Julia jumped when the sound came to her ears. She turned her head quickly, her eyes landed on the words 'unknown number' spread on the screen. "It's just a spam call" she thinks to herself as she pulls the covers over her shivering limbs.

Julia stares at the dark ceiling with exhaustion from the day that hasn't started yet but somewhere in the distance, a car door slammed, pulling her out of her thoughts and reminding her that the world outside her little room was already moving, whether she was ready or not.

                                    ~•~

The rain drizzled over the small town, every crack of thunder made Julia flinch. She dragged her pencil across her English notebook as her teacher rambled on. "you okay?" a whiny voice says behind her, she turned, her light eyes met with the caramel ones behind her.

It was the nerdy boy, Vincent who's always had a crush on Julia since 6th grade. "I'm fine" she replies with her voice firm and defensive. "Oh okay, I'm sorry i-it just looked like something was bothering-" his rambling gets cut off by Julia "no nothing is bothering me and if something was it wouldn't be your concern." she says firmly as Vincent leans back in his seat and sighs softly.

The bell rang, sharp and loud, making Julia jump slightly. She quickly shoved her notebook into her backpack and slung it over her shoulder, pushing through the crowded rows of desks. As she reached the doorway, Vincent's voice called out, a little unsteady.
"Uh...hey, Julia. I-I was wondering...there's, um, this movie after school...would you maybe want to come?" He fidgeted with the strap of his bag, eyes darting nervously to the floor.
Julia paused, her hand on the door, turning just enough to meet his gaze. Surprise flickered across her features, but she said nothing at first, considering whether she should brush him off or...
"Screw it, sure....what movie?" Julia asks him as Vincent trails behind Julia until they reach her locker. "It's uh...called The Lantern's curse" Vincent responds as cracks his fingers nervously, Julia looks at him with a blank expression then walks off. "I'll..pick you up!" Vincent yells at Julia as she disappears into a crowd of people.
                                     ~•~
Julia picks over her food with boredom as her friends chatter about different sorts of things and their voices begin blending together into a dull hum. the sun remains hidden by the gloomy clouds.

Suddenly Angie snaps her fingers in Julia's face "hello? anyone there?"
Sienna and Maya giggle.

Julia snaps back into reality for what feels like the millionth time that day. "uh... im sorry, what were we talking about?" Julia questions.

"What are you doing tonight?" Sienna asks

"oh, im going to a movie with Vincent" Julia replies as Sienna frowns, Angie grimaces, and maya just looks confused.

"He is like a walking Wikipedia page, but if you're happy that's all that matters" Angie exclaims, then chuckles as she pops another berry into her mouth.

"I thought you said you were done with charity work?" Sienna says as she crosses her arms, her brows furrow as she shakes her head with judgement.

"he stares, like... a lot"
Maya says softly as she sips on her soda.

Julia shrugs indifferently pretending her friends reactions mean nothing.

"I don't know, I was bored and I figured it was something to do." Julia says casually, still picking over her food.

A murmur of judgment comes from Sienna with a mix of something else that Julia couldn't place.

"Since you're going out with Vincent and Angie is going out of town with her dad, it looks like it's just me and you Maya."
Sienna says simply,changing the subject before scrolling on her phone carelessly.

it's quiet for a moment until Maya clears her throat "actually....."

Sienna slams her phone down and glares at Maya
"Are you ditching me too?" Sienna says trying to act indifferent while Maya nods her head guilty.

"I have to babysit the Johnson twins....."
she says softly.

Julia watches as her jaw tightens but no one else seems to notice.

Sienna pushes her tray towards the middle of the table and glances at Julia before storming off.